Best 7 Countertop Water Filters: Expert Tested Guide 2025

Finding the best countertop water filter systems means finding one that meets your filtration needs and fits your lifestyle.

As a ten years water treatment expert with a PhD in chemical engineering and numerous patents, I have tested and reviewed the most popular filters on the market. My team’s expertise ensures this guide is based on research-backed insights.

Whether you’re dealing with chlorine taste, lead or just want cleaner water, this guide has all the information you need to make an informed decision and choose the best countertop water filter for your home.

H2：Best 7 Countertop Water Filters We've Tested

We know how crucial clean & safe water is for your family, so we have tested each countertop filter to the same conditions you'll face at home.

Our team puts these systems through the test with normal tap water with typical daily contaminants such as chlorine and sediment establishment, because we want to ensure they'll perform admirably in your kitchen, not just in the lab.

Waterdrop A2 provides the current home water purification solution with its instant hot, cold, and clean water and contemporary, user-friendly aesthetic. This countertop comes with 5-stage Reverse Osmosis (RO) filter technology with UV sterilization. TechWalls , a respected technology review platform, praised the A2's exceptional water quality.

Families who need hot/cold purified water on demand, particularly those who want protection against many contaminants. Ideal for compact kitchens or offices with no plumbing alterations

Installation	Countertop design; no plumbing or drilling. Requires initial flushing (about 1 hour).
Filtration Capacity	Filter will last 12 months or 1,100 gallons.
Warranty & Returns	30-day risk-free return, 1-year warranty
Professional Certification	NSF/ANSI 372
Removal of Contaminants	Equipped with 5-stage RO filter and UV sterilization. Reduces TDS, PFAS, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, lead.
Price	The system is priced around $399.99.

Waterdrop A2 won me over right away with its sleek, streamlined appearance and smart touchscreen that elevates the aesthetic of any kitchen.

Installation was a breeze – no plumbing, simply fill the rear tank, although the system took about an hour for the initial flush.

What I love is the instant hot and cold water, with the hot water delivering excellent brewing temperatures (perfect for different teas and coffee), and the cold setting providing that satisfying cool refreshment. Still, the 5-stage RO filter with UV sterilization creates perfectly crisp, crystal-clear water, eliminating TDS, lead, fluoride, and PFAS.

With the 3:1 pure-to-drain ratio, the system is very efficient, the single composite filter surviving the whole 12 months or 1100 gallons, the system thoughtfully reminding me when to replace it.

Waterdrop King Tank Gravity Water Filter is a strong gravity-fed system manufactured with thickened stainless steel, specifically to give full-spectrum filtration without the need for electricity or plumbing installation. With its tough construction, it has a one-piece stainless steel construction for durability and resistance to corrosion, and employs a metal liquid level spigot for the monitoring of water in real-time.

WaterFilter Guru , a well-known water filter testing site, conducted comprehensive quantitative testing on the King Tank, highly recommending it " one of the faster gravity water filters of this type. "

Families who need a non-plastic gravity-fed filter, especially for municipal or emergency water. Good for RVs and off-grid.

Installation	Easy to set up; feed the top chamber, then let gravity filter. Requires filter priming before the first use.
Filtration Capability	Carbon filters last for 6,000 gallons; fluoride filters for 1,000 gallons.
Warranty & Returns	30-day risk-free return, 1-year warranty
Professional Certifications	NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 372
Removal of Contaminants	Reduces chlorine by 98.95%, fluorine by 98%, heavy metals, sediment, and rust. Does not lower TDS.
Price	Begins at $229.

When I first unpacked the Waterdrop King Tank, its modern stainless steel construction immediately appealed. It appears robust with its traditional double-chamber configuration and useful metal water level spigot.

Installation was uncomplicated, thankfully, due to it being gravity-fed with no plumbing or electricity needed. Having installed it, the water flavor was significantly fresher, with no chemical flavor or odor.

Tests conducted by the lab that I saw substantiated its capability, eliminating 100% of lead, fluoride, and chlorine, among other heavy metals, but beneficially maintaining minerals as it doesn't lower TDS.

With the 4 GPH flow rate, the water comes out surprisingly fast for a gravity filter. The carbon filters have an excellent 6000-gallon lifespan, so replacements are rare.

Waterdrop ED09W is an electric non-gravity water filter system for the modern household. With its 5-stage filter technology with an additional UV function, it has the capability to eliminate an expansive list of contaminants while maintaining beneficial minerals.

Anyone wanting quick, purified water with added bacterial protection. Great for dorms or small spaces where portability is a plus.

Installation	Ready to use; no assembly or installation needed.
Filtration Capability	Filter expires after 3 months or 80 gallons.
Warranty & Returns	30-day risk-free return
Contaminant Reduction	5-stage filter with UV capability removes 70+ contaminants, including chlorine and lead. Lowers copper, magnesium, and calcium to descale the water.
Price	Approximately $115.99.

The Waterdrop ED09W struck me immediately with its sleek, food-grade 304 stainless steel design, it looks really high-end and feels sturdy, and it will not fingerprint.

Good news? No setup, I just filled it up and had immediate filtered water.

This electric, non-gravity setup is blazingly fast, producing an 8oz glass in 20 seconds, which is an enormous time-saver. 5-stage filtration with UV feature ensures to rid over 70 contaminants, including chlorine and lead, yet soften the water for an actually flavorful taste.

In-built rechargeable battery offers an impressive 30-day standby time, so it is highly portable. Filter replacement is necessary every 3 months or 80 gallons, and the unit informs me when the time is near, so keeping it maintained is a snap.

Waterdrop CTF-01 is a sleek, stainless steel countertop system that connects directly to your existing faucet. It utilizes a 5-stage filtration process with an activated carbon block to remove harmful substances and adds beneficial minerals for improved taste.

Waterdrop frequently highlights the environmental impact of its products, stating that the CTF-01 can replace 50,000 plastic water bottles, showcasing its commitment to sustainability.

Families who need filtered water with a direct connection to the faucet. Ideal for the price-sensitive who need to eliminate chlorine and heavy metal contaminants.

Installation	Connects easily to most standard kitchen faucets; no tools needed beyond what’s included.
Filtration Capacity	Filters 8,000 gallons or lasts 12 months.
Warranty & Returns	30-day risk-free return, 1-year warranty
Professional Certifications	NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 372
Contaminant Removal	5-stage filtration minimizes chlorine, lead, fluoride, heavy metals, unpleasant taste, and odor.
Price	Around $69.99.

Waterdrop CTF-01 brushed stainless steel construction appears amazing on my countertop, an ideal combination of modern flair and ruggedness.

Installation was seriously easy, an actual DIY affair with all the adapters you'll need.

I really like the minimal switch to turn filtered or tap water on and off, and the rotatable spout is an excellent idea. The 5-stage filtration setup is a beast, removing chlorine, lead, fluoride, and heavy metals with ease, yet importantly adding beneficial minerals for a distinctly better-tasting water.

The 1.6 GPM flow rate is respectable, filling my containers quick smart. With the filter having a 12-month or 8000 gallon change-out, replacements are rare, which is totally convenient, even though the actual cartridge change itself is a tad stiff

Waterdrop PT-04 , or the "Chubby Pitcher," is also a stylish and convenient water filter pitcher with an appealing appearance that has rounded edges and an attractive wooden handle. ShouldIt , an independent testing platform, praised its design as " a rare product where style doesn't come at a cost to durability or functionality. "

Small families or individuals (1-3 people) who want an affordable, portable filter for cold water. Perfect for fridge storage.

Installation	Just immerse the filter, clean the pitcher, and wash with water.
Filtration Capacity	200 gallons or 3 months.
Warranty & Returns	30-day risk-free return, 3-months warranty
Professional Certifications	Chlorine reduction certified by NSF 42, and lead-free materials certified by NSF 372.
Contaminant Removal	7-layer filtration reduces chlorine, bad taste, odor, heavy metals, and limescale. Does not reduce TDS.
Price	Extremely low, approximately $27–$30.

I found the Waterdrop PT-04, or "Chubby" pitcher, to be very pretty with its stylish curvy shape and distinctive wooden handle. It's constructed with BPA-free plastic and has a respectable 10-cup volume, but its width keeps it better on fridge shelves rather than in the door.

Installation was generally easy, but I did have to soak the filter for 10 minutes prior to installation. The flavor of the water is much better, with chlorine flavor and odor nicely eliminated.

The filter speed is remarkably quick for a pitcher, at roughly 2.5 minutes for the full reservoir. The filter has a 3-month or 200-gallon lifespan, and the LED light on the lid is a convenient reminder for replacement

The Aquasana Clean Water Machine is a sophisticated countertop water filter that employs patented Claryum® filtration technology. It is designed to remove a remarkable number of contaminants while preserving beneficial natural minerals.

Aquasana has been consistently recognized for its environmental contributions, earning its eighth consecutive Eco-Excellence Award from b/well magazine for its role in reducing single-use plastic waste.

Families who require quick, filtered water, especially renters. It's perfect for renters who are concerned about lead and PFAS.

Installation	Just plug it in; doesn't require plumbing.
Filtration Capacity	300 gallons or up to 6 months.
Warranty & Returns	1-Year Limited Warranty And 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.
Professional Certifications	NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401, NSF Protocol P473
Contaminant Reduction	Eliminates as many as 99% of 78 contaminants, such as lead, PFAS, chlorine, and microplastics.
Price	Begins at $199.99.

The Aquasana Clean Water Machine also won me over with its sleek, space-saving design, fitting comfortably on my countertop with no installation hassle—just plug and play.

Its Claryum® four-stage filtration really impresses, certified to NSF/ANSI standards to eliminate 78 contaminants, including lead, PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals, yet leaving beneficial minerals intact for a clean, crisp flavor.

I was especially pleased with its ultra- quick flow rate, producing 8 ounces in a mere 8 seconds. Though it doesn't lower TDS and I found it somewhat noisy, the filter itself has a durable 6-month or 300-gallon lifespan, replacing over 2,200 plastic water bottles—a huge help for the planet

The Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser is a high-capacity, gravity-fed system designed to remove a vast array of contaminants, with a particular focus on fluoride and PFAS ("Forever Chemicals"). It is made from 100% BPA and BPS-free Tritan plastic.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has independently tested and praised this filter for its effectiveness, particularly in removing "forever chemicals".

Large families, or for removing fluoride from city water. Also ideal for individuals who want a high-capacity dispenser for the fridge.

Installation	Simple to install; clean parts, prime reservoir.
Filtration Capacity	Filters 150 gallons per cartridge; lasts 2 to 6 months.
Warranty & Returns	Provides lifetime warranty and satisfaction guarantee.
Professional Certifications	NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401, NSF Protocol P473
Contaminant Removal	Targets fluoride, PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Price	About $69 for the dispenser; the annual filter cost is roughly $150.

Epic Pure Dispenser with its spacious 2.2-gallon tank and BPA-free Tritan plastic construction is an excellent addition to any fridge shelf.

Installation and maintenance are easier than expected. Though the filtration is considerably slower (10-15 minutes for each reservoir), the trade-off is its impressive purification. This dispenser has been tested independently to eliminate over 200 contaminants, such as fluoride, PFAS, lead, and microplastics, so the water tastes absolutely incredible.

I did observe the tendency for the lid to leak when filled too full, as the clearance between the spout-to-shelf in my fridge is narrow.

H2：FAQs About Best Countertop Water Filter Systems

H3： Do Countertop Water Filters Need Electricity? ?

Not all countertop filters need electricity. If you’re using gravity-fed models like the Waterdrop King Tank or a pitcher, you can have clean water without worrying about power. These are perfect during power outages . On the other hand, electric models like the Aquasana Clean Water Machine and Waterdrop A2 and ED09W do need an outlet for their advanced features.

Most countertop water filters are super easy to install. You don’t need to be a DIY expert. For example, the Waterdrop A2 and PUR FM-3700B don’t need any plumbing. Just attach to your faucet or place on your counter and you’re good to go in a few minutes.

Countertop water filters make tap water taste much better by removing chlorine, heavy metals and other impurities that can cause bad flavors and odors. Result? Cleaner, fresher water that’s way more drinkable.

While most filters remove contaminants, bacteria can grow in parts of the system, especially in the faucet or housing if not properly maintained. To avoid this, clean your system regularly and replace the filters as recommended by the manufacturer. This will ensure you get clean, safe water.

H2：Conclusion

When choosing a countertop water filter , think about what matters most to you, like how well it removes contaminants, how easy it is to install and how often you’ll need to replace the filter. Changing the filter regularly helps keep your water clean and tasting fresh so you can enjoy it every day!